Arrive Before Their Explanation

Arrive Before They Are Understood

is an accident... merit a thing absolute.

Fame is an accident... merit a thing absolute. Herman Melville

is an embalmer trembling with stage fright.

Fame: An embalmer trembling with stage fright.

is being known by name to those who do not know you personally.

Fame.-Being known by name to those who do not know you personally.

is being known by people of whom one oneself knows nothing and cares just as little about.

What is fame' The advantage of being known by people of whom you yourself know nothing, and for whom you care as little. (Lord Byron)

is like a crop of Canada thistles, very easy to sew, but hard to reap.

Fame is like a crop of Canada thistles, very easy to sew, but hard to reap

is like a river, that bears light and swollen things and drowns things weighty and solid.

Fame is like a river, that bears (modernized from 'beareth') on things light and swollen, and drowns things weighty and solid. Francis Bacon

is like a river, that bears up things light and swollen, and drowns things weighty and solid.

Fame is like a river, that beareth up things light and swollen, and drowns things weighty and solid. Francis Bacon